Can Dogs Have Dilated Cardiomyopathy?

My dog has a swollen abdomen and his breathing sounds hard. These are the symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy in human, but can a dog have the disease?

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart muscle disorder featured by an enlarged heart that canât pump blood effectively. It not only affects human, but also can affect dogs.

The risk of DCM in dogs increases as they grow older. Dogs having this disease are usually between 4 and 10 years old. Dogs in certain breeds face greater risk of DCM. The incidence is higher in breeds such as Boxer, Afghan Hound, Scottish Deerhound, Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Saint Bernard, and Cocker Spaniel.

Symptoms of DCM in dogs include:

Lethargy

Anorexia

Rapid and excessive breathing/ muffled or crackling breathing

Shortness of breath

Coughing

Abdominal distension

Transient loss of consciousness

Causes of DCM in dogs include:

Nutritional deficiencies of taurine or carnitine

Breeds (genetic factors)

Gender (Male dogs are at higher risk of DCM)

Keywords: dilated cardiomyopathy dogs

Related FAQs:

Can a Person with Dilated Cardiomyopathy Be Cured?

What Are the Causes of Dilated Cardiomyopathy?

* The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.